"Observations of glow and lava fragment ejections from the active vent at Crater 3 were more numerous than in previous months. White and blue vapours were the common emission products, but grey emissions were seen on several days in the second half of September. Rumblings were heard throughout, occasionally augmented by explosive sounds. Occasional brown or grey emissions from Crater 2 were observed, but usually this vent released only white vapours. Seismic activity was reportedly unchanged."

Geological Summary. Langila, one of the most active volcanoes of New Britain, consists of a group of four small overlapping composite basaltic-andesitic cones on the lower E flank of the extinct Talawe volcano in the Cape Gloucester area of NW New Britain. A rectangular, 2.5-km-long crater is breached widely to the SE; Langila was constructed NE of the breached crater of Talawe. An extensive lava field reaches the coast on the N and NE sides of Langila. Frequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded since the 19th century from three active craters at the summit. The youngest and smallest crater (no. 3 crater) was formed in 1960 and has a diameter of 150 m.

Information Contacts: C. McKee, RVO.